Chella Man

Chella Man was born November 26, 1998, and is of Jewish and Chinese descent.[4] He was raised in a small town in a conservative Central Pennsylvania community, where he "did not consider [himself] beautiful".[4] Man was assigned female at birth and experienced gender dysphoria during childhood.

Man began to lose his hearing at four years old. By age 13, he was profoundly deaf, and the next year he received his first cochlear implant. At 16 he had a second implant placed in his other ear.[5]

In 2017, after experiencing gender dysphoria throughout his childhood, Man began transitioning using testosterone.[6] His use of masculinizing hormone therapy,[7] along with top surgery, helped with his identity, self-esteem, and body image.[8]

As of 2019, Man is a student at The New School in Manhattan where he studies virtual reality programming.[4][9]

In March 2017, he created his YouTube channel where he posted videos about his personal experiences with gender dysphoria, his identity, his love life, and American Sign Language translation videos to popular songs.[8][10] Man stated in an interview with Teen Vogue, "There is an extreme lack of representation for young, Deaf, queer, Jewish, Asian, transgender artists...So, I decided to be my own representation."[4] Man also posts videos that attempt to mobilize young voters and discuss the political effects of the Trump administration, whom he did not support.[4] Man began doing so after president Donald Trump visited his high school during his presidential campaign.[11]

In May 2018, Man presented his TedX Talk entitled Becoming Him in which he talks about his transition journey and gender issues for LGBTQ youth and people with disabilities.[12]

Man signed to IMG as their first Deaf Jewish-Asian model in September 2018.[3][4][9] He has modeled for magazines including The Advocate, Bad Hombre, Time Out, Dazed, Gay Times and Mission,[13] and for brands including Calvin Klein, Gap, and American Eagle.[14][15][16][17][18]

In March 2019, it was announced that Man would make his acting debut as Jericho, a mute crime fighter, for the DC Universe's digital series Titans in its second season.[3][19][10] Man stated that he connected to the character, who uses sign language to communicate. He discusses the importance of disabled actors playing disabled characters to support proper representation, stating, "Casting disabled actors/actresses for disabled roles will aid to authentically represent and deconstruct stereotypes built around our identities".[3][2] Man has discussed and worked alongside fellow disabilities activist Judith Heumann, and queer activist Jillian Mercado.[20][21]

In March 2021, Man appeared on Tamron Hall,[22] discussing his transition that went viral in 2017.[23]

In June 2021, Man is a recently published author to Penguin Random House; his book, Continuum was the newest addition to the Pocket Change Collective,[24] a series focused on creating a space to discuss gender, sexuality, activism and intersectionality within the literary world.

In October 2021, Man became one of the first out trans men to work with a major beauty brand, as a member of the team of young influencers Yves Saint Laurent assembled to promote their Nu Collection, aimed at a Gen Z audience.[25][26]

Man communicates in English and American Sign Language and most closely identifies with the bicultural identity for deaf people.[32]

He was previously in a relationship with MaryV Benoit, an artist and photographer.[33]

• Out100, GLAAD (2018)[34]
• Dazed 100, number 10, Dazed (2019)[17]
• Pride50, Queerty (2019)[35]
• Pride 25, Pride.com (2019)[36]
• LGBTQ+ account, Shorty Awards (2019)[37][38]
• Judge, Shorty Awards (2020)[39]
• Hero Award, Attitude (2021)[40]

• Chinese people in New York City
• LGBT culture in New York City
• List of LGBT people from New York City

• Official website
• Chella Man at IMDb 
• Chella Man on YouTube
• Chella Man on Twitter
• Chella Man on Instagram